Jefferson County Dissolution Of Marriage

Jefferson County dissolution of marriage records are held at the Circuit Court in Madras. This central Oregon county was created in 1914 and has maintained court records since that time. People who need to find or obtain dissolution records can contact the court clerk by phone, email, or in person at the courthouse. The clerk keeps case files for all dissolution proceedings filed in Jefferson County. Madras serves as the county seat and is the location of the courthouse that handles all family law matters.

Jefferson County Circuit Court

The Jefferson County Circuit Court is located at 129 SW E Street, Suite 101, in Madras. All dissolution of marriage cases for the county are filed here. The court phone number is (541) 475-3317 and the fax is (541) 475-3421. Court hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The Court Administrator is Katie Slattery.

Jefferson County was incorporated on December 12, 1914. In July 2016, the county became the first in Oregon to use the Oregon Courthouse Capital Improvement Fund for its new courthouse. The court has maintained dissolution records since 1915. Today, all filings are processed at the clerk window in Madras. Under ORS 107.025, the only ground for dissolution in Oregon is irreconcilable differences. This applies to every case filed in Jefferson County.

The Jefferson County Circuit Court website offers information on court procedures, forms, and contact details.

Visit the Jefferson County Circuit Court page for forms and more details.

Searching Dissolution Of Marriage Records

You can search for dissolution of marriage records in Jefferson County in a few ways. The simplest is to call the clerk at (541) 475-3317. Give the clerk the name of one or both parties and an approximate year. They can tell you if a case exists and provide basic details. You can also email your request to JEF-copyrequests@ojd.state.or.us for copies.

Oregon eCourt Case Information, or OECI, provides free basic searches across all Oregon circuit courts. This includes Jefferson County. You can search by party name or case number to find dissolution cases. The system shows case type, filing date, and current status. For copies of actual court documents, you need to contact the Jefferson County clerk directly or use the OJCIN subscription service for more detailed access.

In-person visits work well if you want to review a full case file. Go to the courthouse at 129 SW E Street in Madras during business hours. Bring a valid ID and the name or case number you are looking for. Staff can pull the file and let you view it. If you want copies, fees apply based on the court schedule.

Jefferson County Dissolution Filing Steps

To start a dissolution of marriage in Jefferson County, you file a petition with the Circuit Court clerk in Madras. The filing fee is about $301. Under ORS 107.075, at least one spouse must have been an Oregon resident for six months before filing. If your marriage took place in Oregon and one spouse still lives in the state, the residency requirement does not apply.

After filing, the other spouse must be served. Service can happen through a process server, sheriff, or certified mail. Once proof of service is filed, the 90-day waiting period begins. No final judgment can enter before the 90 days pass. If both parties agree on all issues, the case can be finalized soon after the waiting period ends.

The general judgment of dissolution is the court order that ends the marriage. It becomes a permanent part of the Jefferson County court record. You can obtain certified copies of the judgment from the clerk at any time after it is entered. Certified copies are often required for name changes, property transfers, and other legal matters.

Jefferson County Clerk Office

The Jefferson County Clerk is located at 66 SE D Street, Suite C, in Madras. The phone number is (541) 475-4451. This office handles marriage licenses and certificates, property records, and elections. It is separate from the Circuit Court clerk.

Note that the County Clerk issues marriage certificates at $7.75 each. This office does not handle dissolution records. For dissolution of marriage records, you must go to the Circuit Court clerk. If you need a copy of a marriage certificate to go with a dissolution case, the County Clerk is the right place to call.

The Jefferson County official website has information about all county departments and services.

Check the county website for hours and other department contacts.

Historical Dissolution Records

The Oregon State Archives holds Jefferson County dissolution records from 1915 to 1984. These cover the years from the county's formation through the early 1980s. If you need a dissolution record from that time period, the Archives may be the best source.

Browse the Oregon State Archives Jefferson County listing for a full inventory of available records. You can also call the Archives at (503) 373-0701 for help.

Court records at the courthouse or at the Archives are public and accessible to anyone. Under ORS 432.350, vital records older than 50 years are handled under different rules than recent ones. This applies to certificates issued by the Oregon Health Authority, not to court files. The distinction matters if you are looking for a dissolution certificate versus the actual court record in Jefferson County.

What Jefferson County Dissolution Of Marriage Records Include

A dissolution case file in Jefferson County contains several documents. The petition starts the case. It names both parties and states that irreconcilable differences exist. The response, if filed, comes from the other spouse. Agreements on property, support, or custody may also be part of the file.

The general judgment of dissolution is the key document. It ends the marriage and sets the final terms. A typical judgment includes:

• Full names of both parties
• Date of marriage
• Date the judgment was entered
• Property division
• Custody and support terms if children are involved

Dissolution records in Jefferson County are public under the Oregon Public Records Law, ORS 192.311 to 192.478. Anyone can ask to view them. You do not need to be named in the case. Some parts of a file that deal with children or sealed financial details may not be available, but the bulk of the record is open to the public.

Oregon Dissolution Certificates

The Oregon Health Authority issues dissolution certificates for cases filed in any Oregon county. A certificate is a brief document that shows a dissolution occurred. It lists names, date, and county. It does not include the full judgment terms.

Certificates cost $25 per copy. Order online through VitalChek, by mail to PO Box 14050, Portland, OR 97293-0050, or in person at 800 NE Oregon Street in Portland. Records date back to 1925. For a Jefferson County dissolution, the certificate names Jefferson County as the filing location. For the actual judgment with all details, contact the Jefferson County Circuit Court clerk.

Legal Help for Dissolution Cases

Legal Aid Services of Oregon offers free help to people with low income who need assistance with dissolution cases. The Oregon State Bar lawyer referral service at 1-800-452-7636 can connect you with a family law attorney in central Oregon.

The Oregon Judicial Department has forms and instructions for self-represented parties at courts.oregon.gov. These forms work in any county. Staff at the Jefferson County courthouse can help you determine which forms you need, but they are not able to provide legal advice. If you have questions about your rights or options, talk with a lawyer.

Nearby Counties

Jefferson County borders Deschutes County, Crook County, Wasco County, Wheeler County, and Linn County. If you are unsure which county has jurisdiction over your dissolution case, check the address where you reside. You must file in the right county for the court to accept your case.